African Hornbills, Hoopoes & Barbets

Hornbills are among the most dramatically interesting birds of Africa.

Southern Ground-Hornbill - 1

Southern Ground-Hornbill - 2

African Grey Hornbill - 3

African Grey Hornbill - 1

African Grey Hornbill - 2

Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill - 1

Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill - 2

Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill - 3

Southern Yellow-billed Hornbills - 4

Red-billed Hornbill - 1

Red-billed Hornbill - 2

Red-billed Hornbills - 3

Red-billed Hornbill - 4

African Hoopoe

Black-collared Barbet - 1

Black-collared Barbet - 2

Black-collared Barbet - 3

Crested Barbet - 1

Crested Barbet - 2

Crested Barbet - 3

Crested Barbet - 4

Golden-tailed Woodpecker

Return to Birds of Africa

Along with hoopoes and barbets, they are among the most fascinating birds of Africa. They are exotic in form and function. Their habits are unique. Imagine a hornbill that seals the female inside a nesting cavity until egg roosting is complete. The form of these birds makes you wonder if they are a throwback from the age of dinosaurs. The African hoopoe is also unique. Its cap of feathers is worn more like a ceremonial headdress. Then there are the barbets with striking colors and clown-like patterns of feathers. They are like nothing else in southern Africa. The best luck for us was that these birds were accessible to photograph. They frequented rest areas and camps where fig trees attracted them to feed and to breed.